Manipulation of fish phenotype by parasites

Abstract

Parasites spend at least a part of their lives in or on host organisms from which they obtain resources. Many parasites have complex life cycles, requiring transmission through multiple host species to mature and reproduce. In order to increase the likelihood of successful transmission between hosts via predation events, some parasites alter the phenotype of the host. Fishes are common hosts in the aquatic environment and are often the targets of manipulation. Diplostomid eye flukes and the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus have been well studied for their ability to alter fish phenotypes, increasing transmission via predation.